I've ridden Bristol Bike Fest on a single speed and don't think I would have been any quicker with gears.
Wiggle 6 at Catton Park had a few more hills and I probably lost a few overall places riding single speed.
I didn't even attempt Set2Rise single speed, it's too hilly for me, so I used the Rohloff.
So, what's Margam Park like, I've never been there ?
There's no separate class for single speed, so, unless it's very fast and flat like Ashton Court, which seems unlikely in Wales, I'm guessing there's no advantage.
Depends on the course. Potential for lots of hills, possibly steep.
I remember doing a NPS race there in around 89 & suffering like hell in granny ring on 1 climb & I consider myself a climber. so yes as per above, course dependant.
The NPS there tends to have 1000ft of climbing in 4 miles. It's the hilliest course I know of, and I'd call Catton flat! I'd take the Rohloff.
You 'll be wanting gears for Margham lots of climbing, single speed really don't see the point tried it for a short while to slow 😉
Don't singlespeed the XC race there, you will die....or just end up panting alot! There's some horrific climbs on the course. Trust me ive tried.
Enduro course is no problem Singlespeed and i actually think its easier on the big drawn out climb on the course.
I found Set2Rise ok on a singlespeed as well if that's any help.
Take a gas mask, the stench is horrendous.
OK, thanks, I thought that would be the case. Rohloff it is then, although I still haven't quite convinced myself that it's worth driving for 5 hours to race for an hour and a half.
I drove 7hrs in australia once just to watch a race. Chris Kovarik pulling the biggest controlled drifts I've ever seen on a bike, awesome 🙂
It's a fun course normally but I'd probably not drive that far for it myself. Marathon yes, XC no.